XIV (1) EVERY WISE WOMAN BUILDETH HER HOUSE. — This should be rendered, “_The wisdom_ (literally, _wisdoms_; see above on Proverbs 1:20; _chokhmôth_ should probably be read here, as there, not _chokhmôth_) _of women buildeth_ (for each) _her house, but_ (their) _folly plucketh it down,”_ &c. BUILD... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT WALKETH IN HIS UPRIGHTNESS FEARETH THE LORD. — Rather, _He who fears the Lord walketh in his uprightness._ (Comp. John 14:21.) And likewise, “he that despiseth Him is perverse in his ways.” The fear of God and its absence are clearly seen in the outward conduct.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE MOUTH OF THE FOOLISH (self-willed) IS A ROD OF PRIDE. — He has to smart for his ill-judged sayings; or, he punishes others with them. But this does not agree so well with what follows. BUT THE LIPS OF THE WISE SHALL PRESERVE THEM (the wise) from the difficulties into which the foolish come b... [ Continue Reading ]
WHERE NO OXEN ARE, THE CRIB IS CLEAN... — A proverb which may be taken in various ways. Some have seen in it an exhortation to kindness towards animals in consideration of their great usefulness. Others, that labour has its disagreeable aspect, but also brings its reward, whether material prosperity... [ Continue Reading ]
A SCORNER SEEKETH WISDOM, AND FINDETH IT NOT. — Because “God resisteth the proud” (1 Peter 5:5), and none can give wisdom but He who alone has it (1 Corinthians 2:11); but He teaches him that “feareth the Lord” (Psalms 25:11).... [ Continue Reading ]
GO FROM THE PRESENCE OF A FOOLISH MAN — (_khesîl_) — _i.e._ a dull, stupid one, when the time comes that you see you can do him no good; for “evil communications corrupt good manners.” Thus Samuel “came no more to see Saul,” when he saw that remonstrances were unavailing with him, though he continue... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WISDOM OF THE PRUDENT IS TO UNDERSTAND HIS WAY. — To look to it carefully that it is such as God would have it; but “the folly of fools (stupid persons, as Proverbs 14:7], is deceit;” it shows itself in trying to cheat others, though they are sure to be detected at last.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOOLS MAKE A MOCK AT SIN. — Rather, perhaps, _sin mocks fools_ (they miss the gratification they expected from it); or, _the sin-offering mocks them._ God does not accept it, and so they have the trouble and cost of offering it for nothing; “but among the upright there is favour.” God is well please... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HEART KNOWETH HIS OWN BITTERNESS... — None Can perfectly sympathise with the sorrows or joys of others, except the ideal Son of Man, who came to “bear our griefs and carry our sorrows” (comp. Hebrews 4:15), yet could join in the marriage feast at Cana.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOUSE OF THE WICKED SHALL BE OVERTHROWN. — Observe the contrast between the “house” and “tabernacle” (tent); the slighter one shall stand, while the more strongly built one shall perish. (Comp. Proverbs 3:33.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS A WAY WHICH SEEMETH RIGHT UNTO A MAN, and yet he will be punished if he follows it, for his perverted conscience may arise from his desertion of God, and his refusal of the light He offered. (Comp. Romans 1:28, _sqq._)... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN IN LAUGHTER THE HEART IS SORROWFUL. — By this God would teach us that nothing can satisfy the soul of man but Himself, and so would urge us to seek Him, who is the only true object of our desires. (Comp. Psalms 36:8.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BACKSLIDER IN HEART — _i.e._, who turns away from God. (Psalms 44:19.) SHALL BE FILLED WITH HIS OWN WAYS. — (Comp. Proverbs 1:31, and Matthew 6:2, &c: “They have their reward.”) They get to the full what they look for, though it is but swine’s husks, instead of food fit for God’s children. A G... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SIMPLE. — See above on Proverbs 1:22. BELIEVETH EVERY WORD. — And so, having no fixed principles by which to go, often takes a wrong step; while the prudent man considers well (Proverbs 14:8) whither each step will lead, and therefore does not go astray.... [ Continue Reading ]
A WISE MAN FEARETH. — (Comp. Proverbs 3:7.) THE FOOL RAGETH. — Gives way to passionate excitement, and “is confident” in his own wisdom; he has no “quietness and confidence” (Isaiah 30:15) in God.... [ Continue Reading ]
DEALETH FOOLISHLY. — Does silly things, and makes himself an object of ridicule, but not of hatred; whereas the “man of (wicked) devices” is hated for his cold-blooded malice.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SIMPLE INHERIT FOLLY. — As weeds spring up in unoccupied soil, so “simple” (Proverbs 1:22) persons, whose minds are unoccupied with good, often become self-willed; while the knowledge which the “prudent” gain by looking well to their steps (Proverbs 14:15) adorns them as a crown.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE EVIL BOW BEFORE THE GOOD. — (Comp. 1 Samuel 2:36.) That this final retribution is certain is implied by the tense employed, though it may be long delayed till the “awakening” (Psalms 73:20) of God and man to judgment. (Comp. Wis. 5:1, _sqq._)... [ Continue Reading ]
THE POOR IS HATED EVEN OF HIS OWN NEIGHBOUR. — This sad experience of life is repeated in Proverbs 19:7. The following verse serves as a corrective of this selfish tendency of mankind.... [ Continue Reading ]
DO THEY NOT ERR THAT DEVISE EVIL? — Comp. Wis. 5:6-7. MERCY AND TRUTH. — God will be merciful, and also fulfil His promises of protection and reward to them (Wis. 3:9).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CROWN OF THE WISE IS THEIR RICHES. — They adorn and set off the wisdom of the wise, and bring it more prominently into notice; but the “foolishness of fools” remains folly. The rich fool only displays his folly all the more from being set in a conspicuous position.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS CHILDREN. — Either, the children of the man who fears the Lord, as the blessing of Abraham (Genesis 17:7) and David (Jeremiah 33:20) descended to their children; or the pronoun may refer to God’s children, _i.e.,_ those who look up to Him as a father, an expression which occurs in the Old Testam... [ Continue Reading ]
FOUNTAIN OF LIFE. — Comp. Proverbs 13:14 and John 4:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE IS THE KING’S HONOUR. — Not in ambitious wars. In these words speaks the “man of rest” (1 Chronicles 22:9). (Comp. the description of Solomon’s kingdom in the days of his prosperity; 1 Kings 4:20.)... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT IS HASTY OF SPIRIT EXALTETH FOLLY — _i.e.,_ brings it into view, or shows himself highly foolish. Or it may signify, “he takes up and carries away folly as his portion,” as Proverbs 3:35 may be translated, “fools receive shame for their portion.”... [ Continue Reading ]
A SOUND HEART — _i.e._, one in healthy condition, of which the passions and emotions are under control.... [ Continue Reading ]
REPROACHETH HIS MAKER. — For having placed him in such a lowly condition. The equality of all men, as being all of them the work of God, is taught by Genesis 1:27; Job 31:15; Proverbs 22:2. The duty of aiding the poor is in Matthew 25:40 based on the still higher ground of the union of Christ with H... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WICKED IS DRIVEN AWAY IN HIS WICKEDNESS. — Or, _is overthrown in his misfortune, i.e.,_ when it comes upon him (comp. Psalms 34:21), for he has none to aid or comfort him. BUT THE RIGHTEOUS HATH HOPE IN HIS DEATH. — Comp. Job’s confidence (Job 13:15 and Psalms 23:4). The gravest troubles do not... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THAT WHICH IS IN THE MIDST OF FOOLS IS MADE KNOWN. — “Wisdom” is the subject of this as of the former half of the verse. “Wisdom rests in the heart of him that hath understanding;” he does not care to drag it out and exhibit it, but the fool cannot keep to himself anything which he thinks he kno... [ Continue Reading ]
RIGHTEOUSNESS. — See above, on Proverbs 10:2.... [ Continue Reading ]